What irritates you the most at restaurants?

#501
#501
It’s all about how you word Smith it. “I am placing this here for your convenience in case you have after dinner plans. But i would love it if you stayed a little longer and tried blah blah dessert and blah blah after dinner beverage. Whatever you need I am here for you”

It’s really not difficult
 
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#502
#502
I'm only concerned with what happens inside our walls. If other places train to drop checks first/early, that's on them. We do not. We often ask guests, sometimes even randomly to email our GM with any feedback about us on anything.
Expressing opinions here does nothing.
Adjustments wont happen to better guests experience if management never heard.
 
#504
#504
Chad003 said:
My GM has a strict policy regarding the dropping the check situation. Not until our guests asks for it.
Here's a quote he uses to remind everyone, old or new, verbatim.
"You guys know who drops the check immediately? Dennys! Are we Dennys? F no we're not Dennys!"
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Is it bad form to tell the diners that "we don't bring the check until you ask"? You could put it in fine print on the menu.
 
#508
#508
I just came back from a vacation in Europe and I have to say that I understand why Europeans find how Americans eat in restaurants to be weird, and it isn't just because of tipping culture.

I could have used some more friendliness when they do interact with you, but for the most part if you don't flag your server down they leave you alone. I liked that.
 
#511
#511
bigdaddy said:
I don’t care either way w the check. Not that sensitive
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It depends on the circumstance. If you are a regular at a place and the bring the check with the meal, knowing that is your entire order, or if they bring the check when you are very clearly finished, that's different. If you are eating at a lunch counter/diner type of place versus a nicer, more upscale restaurant, that's different too.

However, there have been times when I'm chewing on the 3rd or 4th bite of an entree and the server comes by, slides the check onto the table, and says "whenever you are ready, but no rush." The food has been out less than 5 minutes. Even if they say no rush, it seems like they are trying to get you out the door. I don't change the speed at which I'm eating at all, or get upset, it's just kind of odd and bad form, IMO.

What if I want dessert? Another beer? An after dinner drink? I might be willing to give them more of my money, but they've already printed a tab and handed it to me to pay as if I'm done.
 
#512
#512
05_never_again said:
It depends on the circumstance. If you are a regular at a place and the bring the check with the meal, knowing that is your entire order, or if they bring the check when you are very clearly finished, that's different. If you are eating at a lunch counter/diner type of place versus a nicer, more upscale restaurant, that's different too.

However, there have been times when I'm chewing on the 3rd or 4th bite of an entree and the server comes by, slides the check onto the table, and says "whenever you are ready, but no rush." The food has been out less than 5 minutes. Even if they say no rush, it seems like they are trying to get you out the door. I don't change the speed at which I'm eating at all, or get upset, it's just kind of odd and bad form, IMO.

What if I want dessert? Another beer? An after dinner drink? I might be willing to give them more of my money, but they've already printed a tab and handed it to me to pay as if I'm done.
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They can re-print another one if you order more.
 
#513
#513
UT_Dutchman said:
They can re-print another one if you order more.
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I know. That's why it isn't worth getting upset over - I just think it is kind of bad form. You have someone in your establishment who is giving you their hard-earned money, and you're handing them a bill midway through the visit (implying that they are finished) when you don't know if they are or not.
 
#514
#514
05_never_again said:
I know. That's why it isn't worth getting upset over - I just think it is kind of bad form. You have someone in your establishment who is giving you their hard-earned money, and you're handing them a bill midway through the visit (implying that they are finished) when you don't know if they are or not.
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I see what you are saying and as you said I don't let the check timing influence any part of my meal. We are the ones sitting at that particular table and I have yet to have anyone ask or imply we need to leave before we want to.
 
#515
#515
Boca Vol said:
My wife and I stayed in Ft. Myers last week and did the mystery train. Have you ever been on it? It was OK but our table partners were duds.
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No I haven't, and something really weird I just realized. I don't know anyone that has and I don't think I've ever talked to anyone that has, until now.

That's mysterious. And I'm not being facetious.
 
#516
#516
Crappy service has created Panera Bread and Chipotle as a example in casual dinner Get your food yourself... No tip
 
#518
#518
You know who has great service? Chick-Fil-A. I don't know what they do for incentives but those kids make an effort.

I was in a SoCal Chick-Fil-A once and it started raining (which it doesn't do often here). An employee went and stood by the door with an umbrella offering to walk people to their cars. And she wasn't even working for tips.
 
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#519
#519
05_never_again said:
It depends on the circumstance. If you are a regular at a place and the bring the check with the meal, knowing that is your entire order, or if they bring the check when you are very clearly finished, that's different. If you are eating at a lunch counter/diner type of place versus a nicer, more upscale restaurant, that's different too.

However, there have been times when I'm chewing on the 3rd or 4th bite of an entree and the server comes by, slides the check onto the table, and says "whenever you are ready, but no rush." The food has been out less than 5 minutes. Even if they say no rush, it seems like they are trying to get you out the door. I don't change the speed at which I'm eating at all, or get upset, it's just kind of odd and bad form, IMO.

What if I want dessert? Another beer? An after dinner drink? I might be willing to give them more of my money, but they've already printed a tab and handed it to me to pay as if I'm done.
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This would never happen at a more upscale restaurant.
 
#520
#520
pismonque said:
You know who has great service? Chick-Fil-A. I don't know what they do for incentives but those kids make an effort.

I was in a SoCal Chick-Fil-A once and it started raining (which it doesn't do often here). An employee went and stood by the door with an umbrella offering to walk people to their cars. And she wasn't even working for tips.
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I think it all starts at the top there. They are very picky and show a lot of discretion in who they allow to be franchisees. They pick the location, the vetting process is very intense, and they only allow you to own one franchise.

If you have the right franchisees, they are going to hire good people to manage and work in the restaurants, and everything flows down from there.

Another thing I have noticed about Chick-fil-A is that they have an army of people working behind the counter. Almost more than you think would be "necessary." 4 or 5 people running registers, 4 or 5 people working the drive-thru, and who knows how many people in the kitchen. Way more than other fast food places. That's why you never have to wait long there despite a line out the door and cars wrapped around the drive-thru.
 
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#521
#521
Behr said:
No I haven't, and something really weird I just realized. I don't know anyone that has and I don't think I've ever talked to anyone that has, until now.

That's mysterious. And I'm not being facetious.
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Editing because I hate typing on a phone...

It was packed! The meal was pretty good. The prime rib (select at best) is the best value. Huge cut compared to the chicken cordon bleu or the salmon (I hate salmon but one person at our table had it and said it was delicious). 5 course meal. All in all, it's OK. Just make sure you have 4 going so you know who your tablemates are.
 
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#522
#522
05_never_again said:
I think it all starts at the top there. They are very picky and show a lot of discretion in who they allow to be franchisees. They pick the location, the vetting process is very intense, and they only allow you to own one franchise.

If you have the right franchisees, they are going to hire good people to manage and work in the restaurants, and everything flows down from there.

Another thing I have noticed about Chick-fil-A is that they have an army of people working behind the counter. Almost more than you think would be "necessary." 4 or 5 people running registers, 4 or 5 people working the drive-thru, and who knows how many people in the kitchen. Way more than other fast food places. That's why you never have to wait long there despite a line out the door and cars wrapped around the drive-thru.
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Something funny I will add about them though:

While I often found their Sunday closures annoying and inconvenient, I had to respect their willingness to forego profits for conviction. But I remember several years ago when they needed to add an extra drive-thru lane at their Gunbarrel location in Chatt, they had the contractors come in and build that on a Sunday when they were closed. My wife and I cracked up when we drove past and saw that.
 
#523
#523
pismonque said:
Something funny I will add about them though:

While I often found their Sunday closures annoying and inconvenient, I had to respect their willingness to forego profits for conviction. But I remember several years ago when they needed to add an extra drive-thru lane at their Gunbarrel location in Chatt, they had the contractors come in and build that on a Sunday when they were closed. My wife and I cracked up when we drove past and saw that.
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They let the heathens work on Sunday, lol...just not them. Jk..

In fairness, it's either that or the middle of the night, or very possibly both...i have yet to see a fill a chick that doesn't stay slammed all day. Bet they make really good money for fast food. It's a little pricey, but much better quality than some, and if you have been to Wendy's or even McDonald's lately, if you are getting a grown man meal, it's 8 bucks and change for a combo..seems like the crap fast food costs just as much as CFA or Arbys now, and I consider those 2 to be much better quality food...
 
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#524
#524
Behr said:
Not to me it doesn't. Drop the check with my meal. Good grief, its just an option.
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I agree, I'd much rather have it than sit around waiting and wondering where our server disappeared to, especially when going to a movie afterwards.
 
#525
#525
It's all a matter of preference with dropping the check. It depends on the customer.

To avoid all this, I would usually end a meal with asking if the table wanted any dessert. If they said no, I would tell them to let me know when they were ready to go. That way I could avoid offending any touchy customers who thought I was pushing them out of the door if I dropped the check unannounced.

As a customer, I honestly do not care when a server drops the check. If I want to order something else, I will and the server can print a new check. Doesn't bother me one bit either way.
 
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